All Scripture Is Useful

Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17, ESV

ALL SCRIPTURE IS breathed out by God. Consider that God breathed out, “Let there be light,” and there was light. That’s pretty powerful. The psalmist wrote, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host” (Psalm 33:6, ESV). He spoke and it was. So the Word of God is powerful. But how does that power work? What can we expect will happen in our children as we teach them the Scriptures?

According to Paul’s letter to Timothy, Scripture will make our kids wise —specifically, wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. They will see the wisdom in placing all of their hopes in Christ. And isn’t that our greatest desire for our kids?

Scripture will change what our kids believe. It doesn’t just make suggestions; it is much stronger than that. Scripture will teach them what they ought to believe and challenge or put right their wrong beliefs.

When Scripture is read, taught, heard, and received, it will correct our kids’ aberrant behavior. The Holy Spirit will use the Word of God to show them the places where they have veered astray. Then, by faith, they will be given the power and the desire to correct their course so that they please God.

Scripture will provide what our kids need. It will equip them to be content when they don’t have everything they need by reminding them that they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. It will prepare them for suffering by reminding them that they are sharing in the sufferings of Christ. The Bible will enable them to relate well to others by calling them to count others more significant than themselves.

Lord, there is something ________ needs more than all of my good advice and instruction. ________ needs your Word! Please use the Word you breathed out to make ________ wise for salvation, to shape what ________ believes, to change how ________ behaves, and to provide what ________ needs.